Abstract
BackgroundAs a result of the COVID‐19 outbreak, hygiene regulations have been revised and hand sanitation has been intensified.ObjectiveTo investigate the onset of hand eczema during the COVID‐19 pandemic in healthcare workers (HCWs) directly involved in intensive care of COVID‐19 patients and HCWs without direct contact with COVID‐19 patients. Hereby, we aim at increasing awareness about occupational hand eczema and preventive measures that can be adopted.MethodA survey was distributed amongst 114 HCWs at a single surgical centre and at a COVID‐19 intensive care unit of the university hospital Ludwig Maximilian University Munich, Germany. Participants were questioned about the daily frequency of hand hygiene prior to and during the pandemic. Participants self‐reported the onset of hand eczema and associated symptoms.ResultsOur study revealed a significant increase in hand washing, disinfection, and use of hand cream across all participants (P‐value <.001), regardless of having direct contact with COVID‐19 patients. A high prevalence of symptoms associated with acute hand dermatitis of 90.4% was found across all HCWs, whereas hand eczema itself was underreported (14.9%).ConclusionThe increase in hand sanitation during the COVID‐19 pandemic impairs the skin of the hands across all HCWs, independent of direct intensive care of affected patients.
Highlights
Background Due to the COVID19 outbreak, hygiene regulations have been intensified and hand sanitatio n has gained special attention
Reports have addressed cutaneous complications related to increased hygiene measures and long- time wearing of protective equipment (PPE) amongst health care workers (HCWs) treating patients with COVID-19.16-19 we hypothesize that an exacerbation of occupational skin injury across all disciplines may be observed, independent of having direct contact with patients that have tested positive
During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, first scientific reports have identified skin injur ies in “front line” HCWs related to PPE use and intensified hand hygiene regulations.[16,17,18,19]
Summary
To investigate the onset of hand eczema during the COVID-19 pandemic in health care workers (HCWs) directly involved in intensive care of COVID-19 patients and HCWs without direct contact. We aim at increasing awareness with regard to occupational hand eczema and preventive measures that can be undertaken. Methods A survey was distributed amongst 114 HCWs at a single surgical site and at a COVID-19 intensive care unit of the university hospital LMU Munich, Germany. Participants were questioned with regard to the daily frequency of hand hygiene prior to and during the pandemic. Participants self-reported onset of hand eczema and associated symptoms
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
